by Tricia
I briefly mentioned how HDTVs are tempting in my Keeping Motivated to Become Debt Free post. I mentioned that back in April and here it is July. They are still so tempting.
It doesn’t help that we didn’t have a very nice time at the movie theater yesterday. Our current TV is a 27″ and it’s about 8 years old. It still works, but the picture quality isn’t the best.
We did take a look at them at Walmart, and there was a 26″ that I practically fell in love with. The picture was so crisp and clear and with the wide screen, it looked beautiful. I hate to admit, I went as far as asking if there were any in stock. It turns out that the display is all they have of that model and they would not be getting any more. All of the other LCDs didn’t have that beautiful picuture. There were a few flat screen TVs that looked nice, but there is no way to fit one of those in our car.
I think for now, I will continue to argue in my mind for and against the purchase. Of course, the biggest “against” is the fact that the money used to pay for the TV would be extra money that was going to go towards debt (I have a big amount slated for this month ~ shooting to get the credit card debt under $30,000). Do I really want to fall behind a month with trying to reach the goal date?
The worst thing is…I don’t understand why I am being lured to them. I am not normally a electronic wow-able person. That’s usually my husband. But why me and why now? One thing I’ve learned is that sometimes when you want something, you could actually be wanting something else. Ahh…the psychology of spending. Hopefully soon I will figure it out.
Hey! This is NCN…
I just read your post about the tv, and I have to say that I deal with the same stuff! My solution? Go in the opposite direction! Say what? Get rid of some stuff, sell some stuff, ebay some stuff… do whatever it takes to knock out a big chunk of debt… i have found that I get the same “rush” when I pay off a debt or put some savings away as I used to when I bought something… reverse psychology? I don’t know…
plus, there’s really nothing all that awesome on tv anyway…
at least nothing as awesome as the feeling of being debt free…
stay strong! ncn
Hi Tricia, I know why they keep calling you to purchase, because your main entertainment is the T.V. Just like my family, even with cable costs it is still the cheapest form of entertainment we have.
Hold strong and don’t buy – I am trying this too. Pay off your debt then save for this purchase, the whole time remember what happened with VCR’s & Microwaves when they first came out. Or are you too young? Anyway, when they came out they were soooo expensive then after a couple years the price started declining. This will happen for those beautiful t.v.’s too.
At least this is my plan. I will pay off my debts and save my nickels and in the long run save dollars too.
-d
NCN – Glad to hear I’m not alone! Well, I do plan on making a mighty good payment this month towards debt and while I know it will feel good…I hope that TV leaves me alone! LOL.
D – Very true, our main form of entertainment is the TV. We rent cheap movies and just watch them at home. Our other entertainment is nature but all of us aren’t home at the same time except for weekends. We only have one car. I don’t remember when VCR’s or Microwaves came out, but I was around for Computers and DVDs. They sure did come down in price quickly once manufactures were able to make things cheaper.
And, our cable only costs $15.45/month 🙂
Oh I know the feeling, that’s all you see these days. Was in Media Mark to pick up a new arm for my Sat Nav and what do I see 50 feet in front of me
A 200 inch (yes that’s correct) flat screen TV
Gorgeous was abit of understatement, of course the price tag 79,000€ was a bit out of my price range but behind it were a wall of beautiful flat screens, all around the 700€ price range, more in my budget.
Was talking with a friend back in Canada who told me his kids were content with there old TV till they started visiting friends with flat screens and now, surprise surprise they want one as well.
One day we’ll get one, but first will be another hard drive DVD recorder, ours we bought used just died.
I have been fighting the urge to buy a new LCD TV, I feel for you! I actually wrote a blog post about it as well.
http://www.automaticpersonalfinance.com/i-want-it-right-now
I just found your blog, some really good posts, awesome progress paying down the debt!
derrick